In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

Why do zoos keep this animal

The coscoroba swan is not a threatened species but it os of educational interest because it is a taxonomic conundrum. It is swanlike overall, but its honking voice and gooselike head make it somewhat indistinguishable. Its bill looks like a duck and it is the only swan with offspring that look like tree ducks. Some scientists, who believe it to be a member of the swans, think there is a link either between swans and true geese, or between swans and whistling ducks.

Coscorobas display typical swanlike threats that involve lifting their folded wings to make them appear larger. Aggressive wing flapping is also a typical threat. Unlike typical swans, coscorobas are not known to have a triumph ceremony. Such ceremonies are when a male attacks a rival suitor, then returns to his potential mate to perform an elaborate ceremony while posturing and calling.